Growing Cherry Trees from Pits: Why They Won't Match the Parent

Saved cherry pits from eaten fruit, planted; seedlings look like grass. Asks if typical and if they'll produce edible cherries.

What You're Seeing

Cherry seedlings first produce cotyledons (seed leaves) that look grass‑like. True leaves follow. This is normal.

Fruit Quality: Not What You Ate

• Commercial cherries are grafted: desirable variety (scion) on disease‑resistant, size‑controlling rootstock.
• Seed‑grown trees = rootstock genetics (often wild, sour, bitter, small fruit).
• Takes 7‑10 years to fruit.

If You Want Edible Cherries

• Buy a grafted tree of a known variety (e.g., 'Stella', 'Lapins', 'Bing').
• Plant in well‑drained soil, full sun.
• Expect fruit in 3‑5 years.

Growing from pits is a fun experiment, but not a path to good eating cherries.